Our RVGS Research Committee needs help to answer focused research requests. Most of the requests come from people who do not have access to our library and center on Southern Oregon families that have little information on the major genealogy sites. Our library has a wealth of local information available. If you like to help others solve their genealogy dilemmas, this would be a great spot for you. Contact volunteer@rvgslibrary.org for more information or complete the Volunteer Application and we will contact you.

The RVGS Research Coaching Program wants to connect members with Research Coaches who can help them sharpen their genealogy skills and hopefully solve tough research problems. We need volunteers who will help make this program viable. You don’t need to be a genealogy expert—every researcher has unique experience to share!

Coaching sessions last about one hour, in the RVGS library. Members will request help through an online form, and we’ll match them with the right coach. Email volunteer@rvgslibrary.org with the areas you’re comfortable helping with: a particular state, country, time period, religion, ethnicity, or genealogy program. If you are a great organizer, then you can assist members putting their files in order. Share your knowledge, support fellow researchers, and gain new insights for your own family tree—it’s a win-win!

Our Society has been without a Finance Director for the last couple of years, but as we fine tune responsibilities we need one of our members to step up and shepherd our long-term financial growth program.

We need a member who is numbers focused because this role involves budgeting, as part of a committee, advising our financial review committee, and looking for possible grant opportunities, among other duties. This person should be excited to use their talents to be involved in long-range financial planning and fund raising for RVGS.

Bring your people and organizational skills to the board. Make a difference in our Society’s success. Click here to view the Finance Director job description. Take a look and contact volunteer@RVGSlibrary.org for details.

Our new RVGS New Member Genie program is up and running well, but we need more members to help out. As a Genie, you will be assigned a new or rejoining RVGS member about once every month or two. Your job is to reach out to your member and offer them a one-on-one library tour and orientation. We want to ensure our new members feel welcomed, familiar, and knowledgeable about our library resources. The tour and orientation will take the Genie approximately one hour of time. The New Member Committee gives Genies training and provides resources to support you in your Genie role. If you want to make a meaningful impact and help the society thrive, please email: genie@rvgslibrary.org.

Will you step out of your comfort zone, help your fellow society members, and master something new Learn how to set up the Zoom and Owl equipment, open a Zoom meeting, keep attendance, and sign off at the end of our hybrid meetings.  It really is simple once you have done it a couple of times.  Our new Zoom hosts will be paired with an experienced host, so you will never be alone. The society usually only has one to three hybrid classes a month. When we have a larger group of Hosts, the time commitment is minimal.

In the next few months, we will be training new Zoom hosts and offering a refresher class for Zoomers who are nervous about being a host or co-host. We want to continue to offer hybrid classes and need a full cohort of Zoom Hosts to make that possible.  Join us.  Email volunteer@RVGSlibrary.org for details. Be a part of your RVGS' success.

This group meets every Friday at a different member business at 8:15 AM (and on the 4th Thursday of the month they meet at 5:15 PM.)  RVGS would love to have someone attend at least one Greeters meeting each month, to share what’s upcoming at RVGS, make our rack cards available, and answer any questions.  It is a great opportunity to learn about Ashland (and other nearby) businesses, including other nonprofits.  It is fun to showcase our upcoming classes, seminars, interest groups, and free programs. 

Learn more about the RVGS Library's hidden treasures by volunteering to be a librarian.  No experience necessary.  Training will be provided.  There are three-hour shifts 10 AM to 1:00 PM available (if we are able to recruit enough volunteers to expand our open hours.)  There are always two librarians on duty. Click here to read a detailed position description. Contact Library Director Anne Billeter at librarian@rvgslibrary.org for additional information.

Education Committee members coordinate educational activities of the Society, primarily focusing on classes, free programs, and seminars. If you have a strong interest in genealogy education, this is the committee for you! 

Quilt Committee members are responsible for preserving and displaying the Society’s quilt collection, and providing educational programs that focus on the relevance of quilts and other heirlooms to family history and genealogy. 

Scholarship Committee members are responsible for administering the Society’s annual high school scholarship program. Duties include reviewing submitted applications, selecting a successful recipient, and monitoring the overall parameters and funding of the program. This committee meets approximately four times per year and currently has an opening for a member volunteer.